Still, if you can stand the monotony introduced by the single-note combat system, you will be rewarded with a few welcome changes to the gameplay pace. The game does include several levels where you can use the franchise's trademark light cycle and a heavy-duty light tank. These levels are brief, but satisfying overall (and, hey, instead of running in circles, you can drive in circles!). These interspersed levels certainly make for a nice change of pace, and I found myself wishing there were more of them included in the game.

After you've beaten TRON: Evolution's story mode, there is an additional online mode that you can check out. You actually don't have to wait until you've beaten the game, but I would advise it as the leveling system is persistent through the story and online modes. While it may not matter in the story mode if you have exploding light discs unlocked as a skill, it does matter in the online modes, as you can safely assume that everyone has their stats maxed out already (the game story mode only takes about five hours to complete, after all).

The online mode itself is a mixed bag. The idea behind it seems solid, as the game allows you to battle other residents of the Grid in a deathmatch or capture-the-flag style match. In practice, however, the gameplay devolves into a "who-can-get-to-the-light-cycle-first" match, which can get tiring quickly. If there were a little more variety across the online modes, perhaps they wouldn't feel so shallow, but as it is, the story mode actually feels deeper, which is not a good thing in this case.

TRON: Evolution isn't the worst game to ever come out of the movie-and-game-tie-in-factory. In fact it fits the status quo rather nicely. If you are looking for a game that plays like every other licensed title out there, then you won't be disappointed by TRON: Evolution. It has functional combat, a bare-bones online offering, and some high production values. However, if you are looking for something a little more, you won't find it here. It really is a shame that a game based on a franchise that is all about a "real" video game world, the game that ties-in with the movie franchise doesn't stand out. Though the game does look nice, it seems that beauty, even on the Grid, is only pixel-deep.

By
Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Freelance Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.5

GraphicsTRON: Evolution is by far one of the best-looking franchise-based games to come out in recent years, and nails the highly-stylized look of the movies.

3.9

ControlControls lack depth, but work well enough overall.

3.0

Music / Sound FX / Voice ActingBackground music is a bit repetitive, but voiceovers are expertly done.

3.7

Play ValueThe story mode is extremely short, and the online offerings feel a bit hollow.

3.4

Overall Rating - FairNot an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend

0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid

2.5 - 2.9 = Average

3.5 - 3.9 = Good

4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy

2.0 - 2.4 = Poor

3.0 - 3.4 = Fair

4.0 - 4.4 = Great

5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

Bridges the gap between TRON and TRON: Legacy and provides insight into the film's past.